An ayurvedic herbal paste known as a 'patthu' is applied to a Sri Lankan eye patient at the Gangula Veda Medura medical center in Panadura, Sri Lanka, April 6. The medical center has restored the eyesight of numerous patients who were all classified as hopeless cases by conventional medicine.

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An ayurvedic assistant prepares individual herbal prescriptions.

M.A. Pushpa Kumara / EPA

Herbal ingredients are ground in the traditional way for patients.

M.A. Pushpa Kumara / EPA

Eye patients assist in the preparation of herbal medication as their participation is said to act as a catalyst in their treatment.

M.A. Pushpa Kumara / EPA

A collection of ola leaf manuscripts has been handed down through five generations of ayurvedic physicians.

M.A. Pushpa Kumara / EPA

Ayurvedic pills are stored in bottles to be distributed to eye patients.